We are very thankful to see how the Lord has been working in leading you on in the knowledge of the truth. We trust the way may be opened, by the Lord's good hand, that your desire as to fellowship may be fulfilled.
There is one thing however which we feel led to bring before you, not knowing whether it has been a subject of exercise with you or not. It is the matter of the temporal support of those devoted to the ministry of the gospel.
We have no humanly organized method of supporting those who labor in the gospel and in the Word and doctrine. In this matter we seek to follow the teaching of Scripture as jealously as in the fundamental truths of salvation.
It has happened sometimes that, coming into the position of our fellowship, those who had been in the ministry in the organized systems, have experienced considerable trial and disappointment as to this matter. They had not perhaps learned the truth as to this subject as well as they had learned some other lines of truth; consequently, when trial came in this line they were inclined to blame their brethren for not ministering to them of their carnal things, and, indeed, in some instances have turned away, and followed a course in which they could have the guarantee of something tangible, as to support.
In saying these things we do not wish it to be understood that nothing is done amongst us for the help of those who minister in the Word. On the contrary there is a great deal done; but it is done in such a manner as not to hinder the development and exercise of faith in the living God as the one who is able and willing to sup-ply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
'Thus it will begin to appear to you, dear brother, that in receiving you into fellowship we could only receive you as a fellow-member of the body of Christ. As to your gift for ministry and the exercise of it, we believe it would in due time find recognition according to the measure of it, according to the principles that govern us in such matters; but in the meanwhile you might experience trial of faith and patience.
Some of us who have been years on the way can call to mind our early exercises in connection with Phil. 4:6."Let your requests be made known to God," and under the guidance and power of this word it has been our studious aim to keep our needs a sacred matter between ourselves and God, and we can bear abundant witness to how He has honored this confidence. Beside this matter of support, our path abounds with trial, and it is only love of the truth, for the truth's sake, that enables us to continue.